Second-Hand, Better Than New?

Each year, the world produces 2.12 billion tons of waste. Each individual contributes to this waste in various ways, from relying on single-use packaging to simply throwing away perfectly good items as a result of poor choice, ignorance when it comes to fixing, re-using and upcycling, or consuming too much to begin with. The world has now recognized that this is a problem, and we are gradually gathering information on how to live more sustainably. A big part of this is recognizing ourselves as part of a community. Paying it forward, even in small ways, creates a positive chain reaction that eventually comes back to us.

Supply And Demand

If you’d put all of the things you own, but don’t make use of, in one pile, you would probably be surprised at how big it is. Now imagine if every person in your neighborhood did this. You would probably see a lot of things you could make use of in other piles, and their owners might be interested in some stuff from yours. Trading around could lead to a lot of win-win scenarios – indeed, recent years have seen a number of apps and websites dedicated to making trades like these fair, safe and accessible. Charity shops are still a great way to go, but apps outshine them e.g. for tackling food waste, which need a much snappier response.

The Household And Beyond

These symbiotic relationships don’t have to be limited to smaller matters. Looking for a serious vehicle? There are plenty of ways to find what you need while looking beyond commercial offers, whether that means borrowing one or finding a local deal that doesn’t break the bank. Just make sure you’ve selected a reliable model. One of the advantages of purchasing a used vehicle is that you can sell it a few years down the line for pretty much the same price your bought it for, since depreciation slows way down after the first two or three, but only if it remains in good shape. And, of course, it’s way better for the environment to make the most of the transport already in rotation, rather than adding to the demand by buying new.

Community Trust

Arguably the best part about giving and getting relationships with the people in your area is that they solidify the community by eroding mistrust and replacing it with care for the collective. People that look out for each other are going to have less problems that may have risen from mistrust, and this can end up saving money for all parties involved. Misunderstandings happen all the time, and community trust may be the deciding factor in settling matters through honest conversation instead of a lawsuit, for example. And let’s not forget that a solid community is a force to be reckoned with. A solid community has influence, power to make things happen, and being part of one comes with the opportunity to be part of change.